Not many people know that before he made his acting debut with the 1952 film Rangili, Raaj Kumar worked as a sub-inspector with the Mumbai Police in the late 40s. The actor is best remembered for his unique mannerisms, not to mention the word 'Jaani', which he generously peppered his dialogues with.
Among the 60 to 70-odd films Raaj starred in, he shot to prominence especially with his roles in Naushervan-e-Adil, Mother India and Pakeezah to name some.
This picture was captured by ace lensman Shyam Aurangabadkar on the sets of the 1980 film Chambal Ki Kasam directed by Ram Maheshwari and produced by VL Murlidharan.
It has Raaj all dressed up as he admires his co-star Moushumi Chatterjee's mujrah dance. Moushumi, whose first film was Anuraag (1973), by this time, had done quite a few memorable roles in Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), Benaam (1974)and Manzil(1979).
In Chambal Ki Kasam, Raaj Kumar played Thakur Suraj Singh, the son of a zamindar who turns into a dacoit to avenge the killing of his parents by bandits. Moushumi played the actor's love interest, a dancer named Tannibai.
The film also starred Pradeep Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, Farida Jalal, Amjad Khan, Bhagwan and Nirupa Roy.
The music was composed by Khayyam and the lyrics were penned by Sahir Ludhiyanvi. Significantly, Chambal Ki Kasam was the last film where Mohammed Rafi sang for Raaj. Through most of his film career, Raaj had been a Rafi loyalist. Among the memorable Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar duets picturised on Raaj and Moushumi are Simti Hui Hai Ghadiyan and Phir Se Na Bikhar Jaiyee.
Incidentally, Ram Maheshwari also directed Raaj Kumar in other films like Kaajal and Neel Kamal.
Among the 60 to 70-odd films Raaj starred in, he shot to prominence especially with his roles in Naushervan-e-Adil, Mother India and Pakeezah to name some.
It has Raaj all dressed up as he admires his co-star Moushumi Chatterjee's mujrah dance. Moushumi, whose first film was Anuraag (1973), by this time, had done quite a few memorable roles in Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), Benaam (1974)and Manzil(1979).
In Chambal Ki Kasam, Raaj Kumar played Thakur Suraj Singh, the son of a zamindar who turns into a dacoit to avenge the killing of his parents by bandits. Moushumi played the actor's love interest, a dancer named Tannibai.
The film also starred Pradeep Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, Farida Jalal, Amjad Khan, Bhagwan and Nirupa Roy.
The music was composed by Khayyam and the lyrics were penned by Sahir Ludhiyanvi. Significantly, Chambal Ki Kasam was the last film where Mohammed Rafi sang for Raaj. Through most of his film career, Raaj had been a Rafi loyalist. Among the memorable Rafi-Lata Mangeshkar duets picturised on Raaj and Moushumi are Simti Hui Hai Ghadiyan and Phir Se Na Bikhar Jaiyee.
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